Cooling assistance program opens Aug. 3

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July 28, 2009

The state Department of Human Resources, with which North Georgia Community Action contracts, says a cooling assistance program will open Aug. 3 with the beginning of the homebound/elderly application period.

Homebound households are defined as those households in which every household member is confined to the home because of medical conditions or disabilities. Elderly households are defined as those in which every member is 65 or older. If anyone in the household is under 18 and all the other household members are 65 or older, that household will meet the definition of elderly.

All households must meet the income criteria, be responsible for paying the cost of energy for home cooling directly to the supplier, and be U.S. citizens or aliens admitted to the U.S. for lawful, permanent residence.

To apply, applicants must bring their most recent electric bill, proof of household income, proof of valid Social Security number and proof of citizenship or alien status. In addition, elderly households must provide proof of age for all household members.

Assistance will be in the form of a one-time payment on behalf of the eligible household to help offset the cost of cooling their homes. The checks are issued directly to the home energy supplier. No checks can be issued until North Georgia Community Action receives the funds from the state. Assistance is on a “first-come, first-served” basis, while the very limited amount of funds last.

Any low-income residents of Whitfield or Murray counties who believe their household meets the definition of “homebound” or “elderly” should contact North Georgia Community Action’s Community Service Center beginning Aug. 3 at 8:30 a.m. Whitfield County residents should call (706) 226-7241 and Murray County residents should call (706) 695-5913.